Bulldogs Dominate in Series-Opening Win over Elon

ELON, NC - The Citadel baseball team breezed past Elon on Friday afternoon in Elon, North Carolina, for the 13-8 win.

The Bulldogs (7-6) exploded for seven runs in the seventh inning to blow the contest wide open and take the first game of the series behind 10 hits.

Elon (6-8) jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning but Stephen Windham helped the 'Dogs take their first lead of the game with a three-run bomb to center field. The Phoenix then scored three runs in the next two innings to take a 5-3 lead into the fifth but that was the last time Elon would lead in the game as the Bulldogs rallied for 10 runs in the last five innings of the game. The home runs in the third and seventh innings were the first of the season for both Windham and Clay Martin. The Bulldogs left just six runners on base compared to Elon's 14, tallied four doubles in the game and drew nine walks.

JP Sears got the start on the mound for the Bulldogs and struck out six in 5.0 innings of work. Ryan Stamler picked up his first win of the season, working a hitless frame in the sixth inning. Kyle Smith and Zach Lavery also pitched for the Bulldogs, finishing with nine Ks as a staff.

The seven runs scored in the seventh inning mark the first time since March 20 of last season that the 'Dogs plated seven or more runs in an inning. The 21 combined runs scored also ties the most runs scored in a game this season when the Bulldogs combined with the College of Charleston to score 21 on March 6.

The Bulldogs will try to clinch the series against the Phoenix on Saturday with Thomas Byelick on the bump. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. at Lantham Park. Live stats will be available for the game at CitadelSports.com.